Hi,
I am new to the forum and glad to have found it. A little about me I am KC-130 pilot in the Marine Corps and fly a little GA every once and awhile. I am interested in buying a Cessna 185 Skywagon but just trying to figure out how to go about it. I debating on if I should get a project 185 which will allow me build it and have it built the way and with the different mods I want. Or I will buy one that is somewhat cheap and learn to fly it and upgrade it as I go. If some of you could give me some insight into what different ideas and thoughts you all may have on that. I have rebuilt a collector car before so I know building something from the ground up takes alot of time and money and I know airplanes are even worse.

Also I have about 4hrs in a Super Decathlon but havent gotten a tail wheel endorsement yet. I was just planning on finding a good CFI and getting the tailwheel in my the C185 plus I will need this anyway for insurance purposes.

Anyway glad to find the site hope to hear for your guys and ladies and look forward to learning alot.

Thanks

It sounds to me like your questions pertain more to general ownership strategies than a particular aircraft type. This will be the same regardless what aircraft you desire in that class, be it Cessna, Maule, whatever.

Others will weigh in regarding the value of existing mods vs doing them yourself, but I think your biggest hurdle will be tailwheel time and insurance, if you require it. When I was buying, I looked at a Skywagon but insurance was not possible or financially out of my reach based on my total and tailwheel hours at the time. So I bought a cheaper, simpler aircraft.

Thanks for the reply. Insurance quotes I have gotten arent too bad, I got alot off due to military flight training and total flight experience. They just require some due time in the 185.

Yeah I basically I am just trying to get peoples thoughts on if I should by one that needs to be built from the ground up or get one that I can fly and mod as I go.

Here is a site that lists the various changes year by year. Might help you find the one you want.

http://skywagons.com/modelchgsweb.html

Thanks for he reply. I have seen this site before and I am going to be looking for a low time (whatever that means) 80s model 185. What would be a good TT to look for on a airframe of a 80s model 185? Would anyone go for a 60 or 70s model over a 80s model for any reason?

Thanks

You could do it the way most do : Buy a plane & put several thousands of dollars into it and it be worth less than what you put into it . Or you could be patient and shop until you find a 180 or 185 built the way you want it (or close) and buy it for several thousand dollars less than if you took the first step I like the first option buy high sell low

shop, look for something that's close to what you want, fly the heck out of it instead of having a hangar queen My .02c

I dont know you or your experience level, but with 4 hrs in a Super D, you might find a 185 a real handful. I fly one once in awhile, and coming from a 2 place Scout, its a real tiger by the tail, especially in the wind. Please get some good instruction, there a some good CFI s in Maine who have spent a lifetime in 180/185s. Those who insure theirs will thank you. There is some good info at the 180/185 club, but I dont think you can log on without registering an N number. Go figure. Keep us posted

Jim

Glidergeek,
That does make a lot of sense. It would be smart to pay a little more money and get the plane the way you want it. You are always going to pay more to build it yourself than to buy it the way you want it. Sometime it is more fun to build what you want just more money. lol


Does anyone know a good tailwheel (C185) CFI?

Scouter wrote:I dont know you or your experience level, but with 4 hrs in a Super D, you might find a 185 a real handful. I fly one once in awhile, and coming from a 2 place Scout, its a real tiger by the tail, especially in the wind. Please get some good instruction, there a some good CFI s in Maine who have spent a lifetime in 180/185s. Those who insure theirs will thank you. There is some good info at the 180/185 club, but I dont think you can log on without registering an N number. Go figure. Keep us posted

Jim

Jim,
I imagine that it will be a learning experience in the C185 but I am willing to take my time and not do anything stupid. One thing I have learned flying in the military is to not do anything stupid cuss it just gets people and equipment hurt and damaged. If you have any names or contact info for those CFIs in Maine please pass them to me.

Thanks

Out of pure curiosity, why are you choosing a 185 over say a 180, 170, Maule, etc? Just curious.

The light years are preferred do to the weight. Find one with low time and mods. There are a lot out there.

Heres a couple examples:
http://www.barnstormers.com/listing_images.php?id=567884
http://www.barnstormers.com/listing_images.php?id=562223

or one with all the mods...
http://www.barnstormers.com/listing_images.php?id=496166&ZOOM=3037a8cefcacee6dd3dcfca5b9fb0655

Good luck!

AKT

aktahoe1 wrote:Out of pure curiosity, why are you choosing a 185 over say a 180, 170, Maule, etc? Just curious.

The light years are preferred do to the weight. Find one with low time and mods. There are a lot out there.

Heres a couple examples:
http://www.barnstormers.com/listing_images.php?id=567884
http://www.barnstormers.com/listing_images.php?id=562223

or one with all the mods...
http://www.barnstormers.com/listing_images.php?id=496166&ZOOM=3037a8cefcacee6dd3dcfca5b9fb0655

Good luck!

AKT

I want a 185 due to the increased size and bigger engine. I would like to trek around the US when I retire and like the 185. I guess I don't have a good reason why I want a 185 but if I can get a good one I would like to go for it. Thanks for the links from barnstormers.

How about a 206 or 182? More room, safer to land, etc.

aktahoe1 wrote:How about a 206 or 182? More room, safer to land, etc.

I would like the tailwheel for the adventure and challenge. I would like to try something new.

Bighead,
You say you want to make it just the way you want it? If you want to start at the 'foundation' you can build your own IMPROVED C185 from the rivets 'out' :
It looks like the kit 'Cyclone' aircraft is still available from St. Just Aviation out of Canada.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/st-justaviation/product.html

Well, you indicated you were looking for a challenge, and wanted a learning experience.....and you can build it 'just so', like I say, from the rivets out....... And you have a brand new, ZERO time airframe when you are finished. It is a BIG! project, though!.....

I'm only sorta/mostly being a 'smart ass'..... I thought you should know this option is available (and other readers of this thread).

lc

Littlecub wrote:Bighead,
You say you want to make it just the way you want it? If you want to start at the 'foundation' you can build your own IMPROVED C185 from the rivets 'out' :
It looks like the kit 'Cyclone' aircraft is still available from St. Just Aviation out of Canada.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/st-justaviation/product.html

Well, you indicated you were looking for a challenge, and wanted a learning experience.....and you can build it 'just so', like I say, from the rivets out....... And you have a brand new, ZERO time airframe when you are finished. It is a BIG! project, though!.....

I'm only sorta/mostly being a 'smart ass'..... I thought you should know this option is available (and other readers of this thread).

lc

Littlecub,
Thanks for the link. I had never heard of that kit before. I don't know if building a plane for scratch like that would be smart, I am good with my hands but I have never built a plane before and not sure how much time or effort that would take.

If anyone has worked with this Super Cyclone kit before of has any info on the cost or problems please let me know.

Thanks

I'm always amazed when someone comes on a forum like this, specifies what airplane he wants to buy, and a bunch of people try to sell him the type they have.

The 185 is a great airplane. As noted, it'll keep your feet busy, and it's a "muscular" airplane. Subtle doesn't work real well on the ground in a 185.

I'd start looking for a good one. You can go to the extreme, and find an early (read light) one, and have someone like Beegles in Colorado do a complete refurbish for you. If you're willing to spend the money (and I'm talking a LOT of money) you can make an airplane virtually new. Bring lots of cash.

To me, the really desireable mods are: IO-550 engine, three bladed props, wing extensions (with GW increase) or Flint wing tip tanks and extensions, titanium gear, later model wet wings, etc. I never liked the bladders in the earlier airplanes, but if replaced, they'll last as long as you own the airplane.

A good one is where you find it. Joe Stancil at Skywagons.com handles a lot of them.

A late model 180 is exactly the same physical dimensions as a 185, by the way, and many of them have had engine upgrades. Nevertheless, the 185 can go to 3550 Gross weight, and a "real" 300 hp with the IO 550 engine. None of the 180 mods will get you that high a GW.

That said, my 1966 stone stock 180 had ten pounds more useful load than the brand new 185 I flew at work (a 1985 model, the last year they were built). This may not be a totally fair comparison, because both were on floats, and the 180 had much smaller (and lighter) floats.

The 185 is a great airplane, and I have no doubt you'll love it. If that's what your heart is set on, start shopping, and see what you find. Find a good one that's sorta close to what you want, buy it, and finish the mods yourself.

Things to consider: New paint is REALLY expensive. Many of the mods I've noted are REALLY expensive. Radios are REALLY, REALLY expensive. This is an airplane that deserves a really nice IFR panel, so don't forget to take that into consideration in your search.

Get it figured out, and I'll fly with you. The 185 was one of my favorites.


MTV

Great airplanes, and after a lot of hours in them, I still love them. Joe Stancil I agree would be a great place to start your search, and a good resource for advice. One suggestion I would make though, is go ride in a few before you plunk down your money. Some airplanes just fit well, some don't. Be a shame to spend that much $$$ without getting a good feel. Though with a solid C185 or C180 it's really hard to go wrong.

Gump

Welcome bighead - you at Cherry Pt? I spent eight years there myself and will be back there in a few weeks to pick up my new-to-me 180. Happy to show it to you if you're around when I come through town, can also discuss why I went the route I did. I never even considered a 185 because I wasn't interested in a fuel injected engine - maybe short sighted or an uninformed decision but I just like the simplicity of carburetion.

Lots of good old threads on this site discussing the strengths/weaknesses of various makes and models, you might find that something else will do what you're looking for so you have something to compare against.

A route to consider is to pick up something simpler & cheaper to build TW time in. I started with a stock Stinson, upgraded the engine, and am now moving to a 180 (for no better reason than I've always wanted one). Even with insurance discounts for military training and experience, progression in TW aircraft would be helpful in that regard. And though you could no doubt jump into a 185 with a good instructor and become safe and proficient, having a depth of experience to draw upon can only be a good thing.

Great choice in airplanes!! My Dad and I have an early 180, and it is a great plane to fly. That said, I wish it was a 185.

Good luck in your search, and get some quality instruction!!

Welcome bighead and thanks for your service.

C185 is a great workhorse if you need it or a real expensive toy. Maintenance and fuel costs are out of sight, so be prepared. There is always something shaking and wanting to fall off both inside and out. In the engine dept., 520's are notorious for cylinder issues, 50's compressions can be the norm. Take a good look at the engine mount, too.

They have nearly all been wrecked at one time or another, look for pulled rivets and dents around gear boxes. Corrosion can be a big deal on floatplane variants.

With regards to mods, opinions are all over the board. Lots of old school guys/gals that work them want bone stock, others like the various STOL kits, Wing-Ex, etc. Some swear at the 550 engine mod, others swear by them. I personally prefer the years WITH fuel bladders, but only because of a less - than - factual opinion that they are safer in the crash. Some interesting reading on the ti gear mod: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&sqi=2&ved=0CCYQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.faa.gov%2Faircraft%2Fsafety%2Fprograms%2Fsups%2Fupn%2Fmedia%2F2011%2Fupn_2011-20100321015.pdf&rct=j&q=xp%20mods%20titanium%20landing%20gear&ei=mYRITovzKciftgfjltHZBQ&usg=AFQjCNHBAF4tF0KAxF2l1l_fQBXRF8x5aA&cad=rja

Best advice is to go try out a few and make up your own mind. They hold no great mystery to fly, by the way...just a big 172 with a tailwheel.